Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Prescribed Minimum Benefits

latest news & developments
While the country continues to debate the future of healthcare reform through National Health Insurance (NHI), millions of South Africans are dealing with a far more immediate reality which is the rising cost of accessing care today
BOARD OF HEALTHCARE FUNDER

How South Africa is legislating its way into a healthcare crisis

Unregulated tariffs and the lack of low-cost benefit schemes drive up the price of medical aid premiums, causing patients to feel the pain

  • Chris Bateman
10 min read
The preliminary results of a four-year Competition Commission report show that schemes are paying up for hospital PMBs, but the road to a successful claim is anything but easy. (Philippe Roy)
COUNCIL FOR MEDICAL SCHEMES

Are the medical aids really fleecing you?

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to PMBs.

  • Laura López González
  • Bhekisisa Team
3 min read
Unequal: Only 16% of the population have medical schemes and private healthcare. The rest must make do with public hospitals when they fall ill.
COUNCIL FOR MEDICAL SCHEMES

Comment: Restore medical aids to good health

Private healthcare is meant to support public health, but it must be kept in check.

  • Staff Reporter
7 min read
New Gauteng health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa speaks about the Life Esidimeni tragedy that claimed the lives of at least 94 mental health patients.
BOARD OF HEALTHCARE FUNDERS

Member ignorance the lifeblood of medical schemes

Many medical schemes rely on the ignorance of their members, who buy more expensive cover than they may need, for their very survival.

  • Bhekisisa Team
2 min read
MEDICAL AID

Med scheme minimum benefits aren’t understood

Prescribed minimum benefits are to be pain in full by medical aid schemes, but consumers and some medical practitioners don’t understand this law.

  • Staff Reporter
3 min read